Drugstore Beauty Finds

Ever since the sticky summertime heat sent my combination skin into oily overdrive, I’ve been on the prowl, looking for a cleanser to break up all of this excess oil action.

Lately, I’ve been reaching a lot for Yes To Tomatoes Trouble-free Facial Wash ($10).

What’s with the tomatoes?

It’s a facial cleanser designed to remove excess oils and impurities from both oily and combination skin, and I expected it to smell like, well, tomatoes. Nope — it actually smells really good, like a combination of fresh, ripe watermelon, lemons and floral soap (but nothing like tomatoes).

Then where does it get its name?

From a key ingredient: lycopene.

According to the company (Yes To Carrots), “Lycopene is a natural compound responsible for the gorgeous red color of tomatoes. Its potent anti-oxidant properties are fantastic at fighting free radical damage, and preserving healthy skin cells.”

The compound’s also said to protect hair and skin from sun damage and pollution; promote healthy, softer skin; and to encourage a balanced, clearer complexion.

Yes To Tomatoes is one of three product lines: Yes To Tomatoes, Yes To Carrots and Yes To Cucumbers.

Tightness: yes or no?

A small, dime-sized amount of the gel takes care of my face and my neck. It works quickly, breaking up any oil and grease on my face. After I rinse, it leaves my skin feeling fresh, sans any sticky residue or uncomfortable tightness.

Packaging trubs

The sleek white tube means it doesn’t take up a lot of room on a bathroom shelf. That may seem like a minor detail (and it is), but I’m frustrated by bath products that come packaged in oddly shaped bottles that take up too much room in the bathroom, where shelf space is limited, right?
[Continue reading…]

Over the past three decades I’ve used dozens of different lotions on my perpetually parched bod, and after going through gallons and gallons of product, I’ve learned a thing or two, like how it sure ain’t easy to find an affordable, highly moisturizing daily body lotion with SPF.

In general, daily body lotions that contain sunscreen aren’t water- or sweat-proof like regular sunscreens; they’re body lotions first, with the added benefit of sunscreen. I like to use them during the work week or when I have errands to run — times when I expect to get a little sun but won’t be out in it for hours at a time.

I’ve been an Aveeno fan for years and had really high hopes for Aveeno Active Naturals Daily Moisturizing Lotion with Sunscreen SPF 15 ($12).

More moisturizing than other drugstore brands

For starters, Active Naturals feels much more moisturizing to me than usual for a drugstore lotion with SPF. With most of them my skin starts looking scaly and feeling tight within a few hours, but when I apply it in the morning before work, Active Naturals keeps my skin soft well into the evening.

Smells a little like sunscreen

If you’re sensitive to scents, in particular the smell of sunscreen, then you might want to take a good, long sniff before buying. Aveeno says the product doesn’t contain any added fragrances, but the broad-spectrum SPF formula does have a light, tell-tale sunscreen scent. It dissipates quickly, though, disappearing within about 10 minutes.

Absorbs slowly

Patience is key here as the product takes about twice as much rubbing as regular lotions (those without SPF) to massage into my skin. I guess in this case that’s part of the price you pay for sun protection.

At least it isn’t sticky once it dries and doesn’t leave a greasy finish or a white cast on my skin.

Oats, the No. 1 inactive ingredient

I can’t say for sure why this stuff’s so much more moisturizing than similar products, but Aveeno says it’s the oats. They’re listed as the first inactive ingredient (the top active ingredients are all sunscreens).

Oats have been used in skin care for thousands of years; clinical research proves their benefits, and all six products in the Active Naturals line contain colloidal oatmeal, finely-milled oats that Aveeno says leave a protective barrier on the skin, preventing water loss and maintaining moisture.

Aveeno Active Naturals Daily Moisturizing Lotion with Sunscreen SPF 15

Price: $12 for a 12-oz bottle
Use: An excellent hydrating daily body moisturizer with sunscreen
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A

At $12, Aveeno Active Naturals Daily Moisturizing Lotion is on the expensive side of the drugstore lotion spectrum, but it’s cheaper than comparable department store varieties from lines like Clinique, which sell sun protecting lotions for twice the price.

Sunday plans?

It’s another toasty day here in Northern California, but I’m going to attempt a run before catching up on some household cleaning and reading. I’m about halfway through Something Borrowed, and so far I’m in love (good writing for a chick lit book).

I hope you have some time to relax today. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen